WW1 Commemoration in the Lenches

The "14-18 group" has been formed to coordinate events and activities in the lenches to commemorate this most important anniversary, starting in 2014 and continuing till 2018.

The plans and events over this period will evolve, and it is hoped that by the time we reach 2018, a significant number of local residents will have been directly involved in the 14-18 Group's activities. 

The 14-18 Group meets irregularly at the Lenches Club, and all are most welcome to join in as membership is fully open to all who wish to take part. If you would like to be included in the contact and email list for the meetings and activities, please contact Darin at darin@chafystower.com. Everyone is invited to dip in and out as and when they are able.  More hands make for light work.

For more information about the 14-18 Group, including our meeting minutes, fundraising efforts/needs, and other administrative documentation, please click here.

If you have any WW1 related materials or stories, please get in touch with us here.

The group's current thinking in regard to a timeline for events and activities is more or less as follows:

• 2 and 3 August 2014 - Exhibition at Church Lench Village Hall focusing on how WW1 affected people in The Lenches. (Click here for information about, and to see pictures from, this well attended and successful event.)

• 13, 14 and 15 November 2014 - "It Will All Be Over By Christmas - A Centennial Revue" at Rous Lench Village Hall. (Click here for information about this event.)

• Summer/Autumn 2016 - Events and activities to focus on the middle of the war.

• Summer/Autumn 2018 - Events and activities to focus on the end of the war.

All of the events, activities and exhibitions are intended to be both educational and entertaining. Proceeds from any chargeable events are used to help cover costs, and any excess will be donated to local and armed forces charities.

An ongoing objective of the 14-18 Group throughout its period of existence will be to leave a lasting legacy of photographic and informational material on this website, accessible to future generations for education and research. We would invite anyone reading this to please review the material currently posted on this site and to let us know if you are in possession of any additional material or information that we could add. Please contact Darin McLean on 01386 793590 or darin@chafystower.com if you would like to discuss anything in this regard.

The Lenches' WW1 Archive can be found by clicking here.  Please keep in mind that it will be in constant evolution over the next few years, so check back regularly.

Additional information about WW1 events in the Vale of Evesham can be found at the World War One in the Vale website.